On the Beach
Volunteer Surf Lifesavers
Each summer over 20,000 members don the iconic red and yellow uniforms at beaches across the state. Every single patrol member is trained to the highest possible standard and dedicates countless hours each season to protecting the coastline.
High Tech State Operations Centre
On any given weekend in summer, Surf Life Saving NSW’s State Operations Centre (SOC) at the SLSNSW Headquarters at Belrose in Northern Sydney is a hive of activity, supporting beach patrols at 129 Surf Life Saving Clubs, managing emergency situations and search and rescue operations across the NSW coastline. The SOC also coordinates multi-agency responses with other NSW emergency service organisations including NSW Police and ambulance, 365 days’ a year.
Lifeguards
With 30 years experience, the Australian Lifeguard Service (ALS) NSW is one of the largest providers of lifeguard services in the Southern Hemisphere. Currently our network provides services to over 90 individual locations, 15 local government authorities, 1 resort, 2 national parks, and with ongoing expansion we employ seasonally in excess of 330 lifeguards each year.
Australian UAV Service
Australian UAV Service is contracted by the NSW Government Department of Primary Industries (DPI) to provide shark surveillance using drones at 50 locations across the NSW Coastline. The program runs during the school holiday periods to ensure the safety of water-users during the busiest periods. AUAVS also provides water-safety and marine-life surveillance to Surfing Events across NSW.
The service is often tasked during flood emergencies with SES to provide Search & Rescue, Rapid Damage Assessment using thermal imagery, 3D Mapping, and general safety inspections in addition to water-safety
Surf Sports
Surf sports are a great way to not only improve your lifesaving skills but also to actively participate in a healthy lifestyle. Each season there is an opportunity for our members to participate at a club, branch, state, national and even international level. Athletes can compete in a full range of beach and water events, pool rescue events, surf boats, surf board riding events, and in winter in the inflatable rescue boat (IRB) series.
Two of the key events held each summer are the Country Championships; open to athletes living outside the Hunter-Sydney-Central Coast-Illawarra corridor, and the State Titles that caters for competitors aged 9 to 65+. All carnivals are held on a rotating place and are among the biggest of its type in NSW with in excess of 7000 people participating over the course of the State Championships.
Community Education
Surf Life Saving is much more than just saving lives on the beach. A key priority for us is reaching out to all Australians through our substantial community education programs. We aim to teach all Australians how to keep themselves and their families safe at the beach. To learn more about our community education programs or to find information on beach or rock fishing safety in multiple languages please visit the Beach & Coastal Safety Hub.
Supporting our Members
Surf Life Saving supports our 75,000 volunteer members in a variety of ways. We assist clubs and members in recruitment and retention, membership reporting and statistics and a range of member protection initiatives. The junior activities or ‘Nippers’ program is huge in NSW and we provide resources and assistance to clubs to help them deliver the program to more than 30,000 members under the age of 14.
We also run a number of member development programs which offer personal development and leadership training.
There are also opportunities for our members to be recognised throughout the season such as at our Awards of Excellence, and external award programs such as the NSW Volunteer of the Year and NSW Sports Awards.
First Aid Training
We offer public first aid certification and CPR courses all over NSW that will empower you with vital lifesaving skills. Whether you’re looking for individual training, for a family member, a community group or your entire office, we can provide the right training solution for you. You can book online for a course near you or if you would rather speak directly with someone, give us a call through our public training hotline on 1300 766 257.
Event Services
The Australian Event Safety Services (AESS) is the event first aid and water safety provider for Surf Life Saving NSW and has a large team of professionals who are also actively employed as lifeguards, and in other emergency services. With qualifications in aquatic rescue operations, first aid and emergency care, search and rescue, emergency communications and relevant maritime vessel qualifications, the AESS caters for all events regardless of size:
- International sporting events
- Regattas
- School events
- Festivals
- Private functions